A moving meditation. An invitation to slow down, notice your breath and bring your attention back to the present.
Qigong is a powerful ancient Chinese practice developed thousands of years ago that combines gentle movement, deep breathing, and focused intention to cultivate and balance vital life energy, known as qi.
“Qi” is often translated as vital energy, and “Gong” as cultivation or skill developed through practice. In Chinese tradition, Qigong is a way of cultivating vitality and harmony between mind, body and spirit.
Qigong includes flowing movements, standing postures, breathing exercises and quiet meditation. In many sequences, each movement is repeated a set number of times before moving on.
Studies have proven Qigong to alleviate depressive symptoms, improve physical health and replenish the body with vital energy. When we are stressed our Qi can become stuck, deficient or excessive, leading to illness. Qigong rebalances the flow of energy in your body, helping you live a happier and healthier life.
Qigong grew from a long history of Chinese movement, breathing and contemplative practices. Its influences include Chinese medicine, Daoist and Buddhist cultivation, and martial training. Some systems such as Ba Duan Jin have been passed down for centuries. Others are more recent, such as Shi Ba Shi, whose first set was developed in 1979.
Within traditional Chinese medicine, meridians are understood as pathways through which Qi flows. Many Qigong practices bring movement, breath and intention together to encourage this flow, using gentle opening, closing and stretching movements.
Qigong also works with the three dantians, traditional centres of energy in the lower abdomen, chest and head. The lower dantian, below the navel and within the belly, is especially important: it is regarded as a place to gather and store Qi. Bringing attention here offers a focus for relaxed breathing, grounded movement and a sense of being centred.
Feel the ground beneath your feet and soften unnecessary tension. Gentle turns, flowing gestures and steady postures invite you to explore balance, coordination and ease.
Let your breath become part of the rhythm. As you open, gather, rise and settle, explore how breathing can accompany the movements in a steady, unhurried flow.
Where the mind goes, Qi flows. Intention helps direct the flow of energy throughout the body. This can be as simple as directing awareness to a specific point, such as the lower dantian.
They share an interest in mindful practice, but come from different traditions. Their differences give you more ways to explore and enjoy.
Repeated movements, standing practice and meditation, bringing breath and intention together. Moves can be practised individually or as part of a larger sequence.
Postures, breathing, meditation and a wider philosophy of practice. Hatha and Yin yoga include time on a mat, with different balances of effort and stillness.
Follows a sequence of linked forms with coordinated whole-body movement. Martial art principles behind the moves. Qigong may be part of the practice or training.
I specialise in six Qigong systems: Shi Ba Shi, Five Element, Heaven to Earth, Ba Duan Jin, Zhan Zhuang and Long Life. In class, we'll practise exercises drawn from these systems, repeating each movement so you can settle into its rhythm and connect it with your breath.
In addition to mindful movement, we'll explore gentle stretches, kòu fǎ (tapping), lymphatic flows, energy flows and meditation.
Ideas, traditions and practices to deepen your understanding of Qigong.
The twelve channels, organ–emotion relationships and eight extraordinary vessels.
ExploreWhy balance is a living relationship, not a permanent halfway point.
ExploreThe origins, character and energetic intentions of the six systems I teach.
ExploreQi, Blood, Jing, Shen and the Five Phases: the ideas behind the practice.
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